Preliminary findings demonstrating latent effects of early adolescent marijuana use onset on cortical architecture. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Filbey, Francesca M.; McQueeny, Tim; DeWitt, Samuel J.; Mishra, Virendra
• Is Part Of: Developmental cognitive neuroscience. Volume 16(2015)
• Page Start: 16
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Adolescence -- Marijuana -- Cortical thickness -- Gyrification -- Morphology -- FreeSurfer; Cognitive neuroscience -- Periodicals; Developmental neurobiology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychiatry -- Periodicals; 612.8233
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2015.10.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1878-9293

Abstract

Highlights: Early onset MJ use was associated with different patterns of cortical architecture. Early vs. late onset divergence was in brain regions underlying higher-order cognition. Findings were above and beyond effects of alcohol and current age. Abstract: Background: As the most commonly used illicit substance during early adolescence, long-term or latent effects of early adolescent marijuana use across adolescent developmental processes remain to be determined. Methods: We examined cortical thickness, gray/white matter border contrast (GWR) and local gyrification index (LGI) in 42 marijuana (MJ) users. Voxelwise regressions assessed early-onset (age <16) vs. late-onset (≥16 years-old) differences and relationships to continued use while controlling for current age and alcohol use. Results: Although groups did not differ by onset status, groups diverged in their correlations between cannabis use and cortical architecture. Among early-onset users, continued years of MJ use and current MJ consumption were associated with thicker cortex, increased GWR and decreased LGI. Late-onset users exhibited the opposite pattern. This divergence was observed in all three morphological measures in the anterior dorsolateral frontal cortex ( p < .05, FWE-corrected). Conclusions: Divergent patterns between current MJ use and elements of cortical architecture were associated with early MJ use onset. Considering brain development in early adolescence, findings are consistent with disruptions in pruning. However, divergence with continued use for many years thereafter suggests altered trajectories of brain maturation during late adolescence and beyond.